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The exchangeability and leachability of metals from select green roof growth substrates

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Abstract

Batch extraction and leaching studies were conducted with potential green roof substrates (e.g., Axis, Arklayte, coal bottom ash, Haydite, Lassenite, lava rock, and composted pine bark). The results indicated that these materials would not likely be sources of Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, or Zn and that Lassenite would be considered a source of Mn if the leachate concentrations were compared to USEPA drinking water standards for these elements. Lassenite would not be a source of Mn if the data was compared to a USEPA standard for Mn toxicity to aquatic life. All of the substrates tested leached Cd and/or Pb concentrations that exceeded the USEPA water quality standards at least once during the 6-month leaching study, so these materials may be potential sources of Cd and Pb in green roof storm water runoff. The leaching of Cu, Cd, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn was differentially influenced by time and/or the presence of a single Sedum hybridum ‘immergrauch’ plant. The leaching of Cd, Cu, and Pb displayed complex, three-way interactions between main effects (substrate type and the presence or absence of a plant) and between leaching events. For all substrates except Lassenite, the presence of a S. hybridum plant decreased the leaching of Pb over time. The leaching of Cd was generally enhanced by plants for most substrates with time. Collectively the results suggest that changes in the biogeochemical conditions within green roof systems may alter metal solubility, decreasing the leaching of some elements and increasing the leaching of others.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank EaglePicher Filtration & Minerals, Inc., for providing the Axis substrate, Western Pozzolan Corp., for providing the Lassenite, Buildex, Inc., for providing the Haydite, and Ameren UE for providing the bottom ash. The authors would also like to thank Tom Tharp of River City Landscape for information on the origin and processing of the pine bark used as well as Jost Greenhouses and Green Roof Blocks for providing the Sedum plants used in this study, along with the Arkalye and Axis substrates and the pots. Portions of this work were supported by a Sigma Xi Grants in Aid of Research Award to Sarah Alsup.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plant Biology, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 420 Life Science II, 1125 Lincoln Drive, Carbondale, IL, 62901-6509, USA

    Sarah Alsup & Stephen Ebbs

  2. Department of Biological Sciences, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Box 1651, Edwardsville, IL, 62026-1651, USA

    William Retzlaff

Authors
  1. Sarah Alsup
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  2. Stephen Ebbs
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  3. William Retzlaff
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Correspondence to Stephen Ebbs.

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Alsup, S., Ebbs, S. & Retzlaff, W. The exchangeability and leachability of metals from select green roof growth substrates. Urban Ecosyst 13, 91–111 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11252-009-0106-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11252-009-0106-y

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